Thursday, August 23, 2018

SHALL WE DANCE


The popular annual dance extravaganza, Shall We Dance, returns to the Playhouse Opera from September 7 to 16 for the 26th staging of this much-loved Durban dance showcase.

Bringing a number of dancing genres to life on the stage, Shall We Dance showcases the magnificent styles of Ballroom, Latin American, Belly dancing, Bollywood, Ballet and everything in-between.

The featured couples this year includes Danish, Nikolaj Lund and Polish Marta Kocik performing Ballroom and Latin, they have dance titles from Denmark, through Europe to Japan and will be making their first ever appearance at Shall We Dance and in South Africa. The couple have been together for ten years and are currently the Danish 10 Dance Champions, claiming that their favourite dance is the Tango which they feel is closest to their personality – vivid, sensual and passionate!

Back again, the Durban dance duo Statik will be performing their high-energy, tightly choreographed rapid-fire showdance style: Selwyn Rautenbach and Clinton Green have been dancing together since 1995. Their tight routine fits somewhere between Michael Jackson and hip-hop and breaks conventional dance style boundaries. They make a welcome return with their unique flair that is sure to wow the crowds. And of course, the fans’ favourite, gorgeous Gerhard Van Rooyen will be joined by Moldavian athlete, Ecaterina Jeleznii, performing the jaw-dropping adage style.

Making their first appearance as featured dancers are proudly local lads Siphosethu Ngcobo from uMlazi and Sibusiso Ndlovu from Ladysmith. The young talents will both be performing with Madison Bromfield. Ngcobo and Bromfield will be taking to the floor for the Ballroom sequence, while Ndlovu and Bromfield will be performing the Latin American.

What would Shall We Dance be without all the bling, dazzling costumes, and of course sequins? The behind the scenes team have been putting in the hours to create one-of-a-kind costumes across the board for the show. Music is a big part of the annual showcase, with a carefully-planned eclectic musical choices to support the dance programme – gleaned from contemporary artists and ever-greens.

Damon Beard once again will compere the extravaganza, with the possibility that he may surprise Durban audiences with a few steps himself.

Shall We Dance runs in the Playhouse Opera from September 7 to 16, 2018. Tickets available through Computicket.

For more information, like the Facebook page, Shall We Dance Durban.